UNITED NATIONS, (CMC) – Caribbean Community (Caricom)  Secretary General, Dr Carla Barnett, Monday said that reparations for Haiti continue to be central to its reparations claim.

Addressing the opening of the High-Level Segment of the Fourth Session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent, Barnett said that April 2025 marks the bicentenary of the indemnity of 150 million francs imposed on Haiti by France as reparations for loss of property, including enslaved Africans, and as a precondition for recognising the island’s independence.

“The negative economic and social effects of this historical injustice are painfully clear, with arguable links to the situation in Haiti today. This anniversary presents an opportunity to bring global attention and a deeper understanding of the situation in Haiti and serves as a call to action to address the ongoing security, humanitarian and governance crises in the country,” she told the forum that is being held under the theme ‘Africa and people of African descent: United for reparatory justice in the age of Artificial Intelligence’.

“It is an opportunity to confront the consequences of European colonisation and enslavement, and to call attention to the enduring legacies of these historical injustices. Of importance also is that the African Union (AU), is observing 2025 as the year for “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations”.

Barnett said that Caricom leaders at their summit in July last year expressed full support for increased participation and collaboration by the region in the meetings and work of the Permanent Forum.

She added that the Caricom Reparations Commission, in particular, stands ready to collaborate with the Permanent Forum to advance material improvements for people of African descent as outcomes of the Second International Decade, and especially for women, children and youth.